#7 Where the Magic Happens
Triggers that unlock focus and creative flow.
We meet again, dear reader.
How has your week been? I hope the world’s been kind to you.
Before we dive into this week’s newsletter, I need your help.
Have some credits saved up on my Audible account, would appreciate some recommendations of your favourite audiobooks. Open to discovering new authors.
Am currently in between reading two books: The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest and How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain by Jessica Mccabe.
Both are self-help books, although their writing styles are varied. Brianna weaves effortlessly into engrossing prose. Touching difficult topics with grace and dignity akin to a therapist. While Jessica writes as if she’s your friend, sitting you down gently on the couch and explaining things to you. Both equally good.
Over the past few weeks, I had been working on a little project during my leisure time. It’s a fun little Google Chrome extension. Every new tab you open, you get a random quote with a splash of colour! I’ve called it “Quotenator”. Very original, I know. * I see you rolling your eyes sir. tsk tsk tsk *
It’s still pending for review on the Chrome Web Store, will share details once it’s live.
Here’s a sneak peek:
Aside from the fact that it taught me a lot about extension development, it got me thinking about what makes me do my best work.
Ever since I was a kid, one thing was very clear.
The coursework assigned never prepared you for the real world. Nor was it created in a way to spark curiosity. It was merely a set of instructions to follow blindly to obtain marks. A system built on passing rather than learning. A highly flawed measure of one’s understanding of the material.
This was true for all the stages, at school, college or university.
The early years were easy, with answers to questions readily available through peers, parents or the internet. But as the study material got difficult for my folks and too complicated to be asked on Google, my grades started slipping. The hunger of understanding was always there. The curiosity never went away. The disappointment of not receiving answers when needed the most killed any excitement there was to learn.
With the advent of AI and transformed learning, no question is silly, wrong or too complex. You also don’t have to worry about judgement or ridicule to ask questions.
What I’d give to be back in school again with an AI chat bot as my study guide. Those late nights come to mind when I used to spend time on math problems from the GRE.
Personally, I learn by doing. No matter how much theory I read, it will never compare to actually doing the thing. As a software developer, I’ve experienced this firsthand, on many accounts. That is how I managed to escape tutorial hell too. By making projects instead of watching how to make them. You can plan and plan but often with coding, you run into a plethora of bugs which need to be resolved. Most of which are never mentioned in the tutorials either.
Sure, I’ve failed a dozen times. Started projects that didn’t see the light of day. Almost published a portfolio website but backed out at the last minute. But every single time, there was a lesson. Trying never goes to waste.
“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
~ Thomas Alva Edison
Yes, your first few projects will suck. It’ll take you longer than you’d anticipated. But the trick is to keep at it. As with anything in life, really. Consistency is key. Keep the ball rolling, at all times.
Admittedly, I didn’t always have my mojo. Over the years, I’ve learnt what works for me, to be at my most productive. It took painstaking work. But after a lot of trial and error, I found this to be most productive environment for studying or focused work:
A cozy nook, with warm lights. Preferably, nighttime. Light piano or Lo-fi music playing in the background to keep sleep at bay. A notebook to jot down any stray thoughts that may pop into your head. A bottle of water for hydration. No distractions, no interruptions, just pure focus. Sometimes, explaining this setup to others confuses them. Who listens to music when they study?
I do. Me. I am her. This is she. It is I.
The auditory cues help drown out the voice inside my head and help me converge in on my focus. Sometimes I’ll also throw in a little soundscape, if am in the mood. Noisili is an excellent tool for it. The simple stacking of sounds relaxes me into a zone of hyperfocus, a feeling I know too well. Oh, and it helps to wear comfy clothes.
If you’re interested, check out my previous newsletter on productivity:
Truth be told, working on side projects is such a fun way to escape doomscrolling. No, before you say anything, Substack doesn’t count. It’s just a great way to keep yourselves invested in a goal long enough. To break that cycle of doomscrolling.
Once it’s broken for a considerable amount of time, it’s difficult to get pulled into its charm again. Why? Because working on a passion project is much more rewarding and fun.
Apart from The White Lotus’s third season, haven’t been able to take out the time to watch anything good lately. (that finale though 👀)
Except incessant reruns of The Office. That is non-negotiable.
What are you guys reading? Would love to know!
Saving Five : Book Review
Talk soon. x
Until we meet again, may your TBRs overflow and your bookmarks be always in use.
P.S. Why the radio silence? Let’s chat in the comments! Or, if you prefer, you could join the chat for subscribers!